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CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Irish Soda Bread

appetizer· bread
March 2, 2020

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Irish Soda Bread – The easiest bread you’ll ever make! Made with just flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and salt, this bread is chewy, dense, and addicting.

Loaf of irish soda bread

Man, I cannot believe how fast February flew by. It’s even crazier to think that spring is upon us. What?! I must admit, though – with all the rain we’ve been getting, it’s not all that shocking.

Before spring truly makes its arrival, we have one more holiday to celebrate – St. Patrick’s Day! I typically don’t go crazy for this holiday but I’m turning over a new leaf this year – or should I say, clover. I’ve got a bunch of new recipes that are perfect for the Irish celebration. Some sweet recipes, but also some savory ones.

Today’s recipe is an addictive one that is definitely on the savory side. When I make it, we can hardly wait for it to cool before diving in. And then we just keep on eating it for the next 24 hours until it’s all gone.

I present to you…Irish Soda Bread!

Irish soda bread loaf cut in half
Slices of irish soda bread in front of the loaf
Closeup on the loaf of irish soda bread

What is Irish soda bread?

Irish soda bread is a dense bread made with baking soda instead of yeast or baking powder. It reacts with the buttermilk to rise perfectly but also remains thick and dense on the inside, similar to a biscuit or shortcake. Because of it’s few ingredients and steps, it’s one of the easiest breads you’ll ever make.

How to make this bread

First, the dry ingredients are mixed together in a large bowl. Then, create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the butter milk. This will help us slowly incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry without overworking the dough.

Bowl of dry ingredients with buttermilk poured into the center

Using a spoon or your hands, you’ll fold the dry ingredients into the butter milk while rotating the bowl. Do this until the dough forms. If the dough is dry, add a little more buttermilk.

Finally, the dough is formed into a ball and placed on a baking sheet before it goes into a super hot oven. The high heat helps the bread rise quickly. After about 15 minutes, the heat is reduced to let the bread finish cooking without burning the outside.

Tips and Tricks

  1. Make sure to form the dough into a small ball no larger than 7 inches. This ensures the loaf is tall enough and won’t be long and flat.
  2. Don’t overcook the bread. Once it begins to brown on top, check the bottom of the bread to see how brown it is. If it’s golden brown, remove it from the oven.
  3. Do not overwork the dough. The more you work with it, the tougher the dough becomes. Because this is an already dense bread, you don’t want it to be too tough or else it will be hard to eat.
Print Recipe

Irish Soda Bread

The easiest bread you'll ever make! Made with just flour, buttermilk, baking soda, and salt, this bread is chewy, dense, and addicting.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Servings: 1 small loaf

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 ⅔ cup buttermilk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Whisk dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour all the buttermilk in. Using a wooden spoon, slowly mix the buttermilk with the dry ingredients until a dough forms.
  • Pour dough onto floured surface. If dough is really sticky, add a couple more tablespoons of flour and fold into dough. Shape dough into a ball about 7 inches in diameter. Dust with a little more flour on top.
  • Place dough onto a lightly-floured baking sheet and score a cross over the top with a pairing knife. Place into preheated oven . Bake for 15 minutes and then reduce heat to 400 degrees. Finish baking until bottom of dough turns golden brown and the top is firm to the touch.
  • Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm with butter or jams.

Pin for later:

irish soda bread photo collage

More recipes you’ll love:

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IPlate with a piece of irish Cream Tres Leches
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No-Knead Harvest Wheat Bread
chewy, rustic bread speckled with golden raisins, dried cranberries, and walnuts

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9 Comments

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Comments

  1. Ashley R says

    March 6, 2020 at 10:31 pm

    I had not ever heard of Irish soda bread before. Sounds wonderful!

    Reply
  2. Nadalie Bardo says

    March 6, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    This looks so delicious!! The perfect bread to enjoy with a stew or even lunch spread. Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  3. Kelsie Kleinmeyer says

    March 6, 2020 at 2:50 pm

    This looks so delicious. Bring on all the carbs!

    Reply
  4. Amber says

    March 6, 2020 at 1:17 pm

    I have actually never made an irish soda bread and didnt realize it was so simple with just a few basic ingredients! Giving this recipe a try for sure this weekend with some comfort soup.

    Reply
  5. kim says

    March 6, 2020 at 9:57 am

    I love this recipe! I couldn’t believe how easy and delicious this bread is. Will definitely be making again!

    Reply
  6. Nicole says

    March 6, 2020 at 9:27 am

    Ohh this looks amazing! I got to try this!

    Reply
  7. Vicky says

    March 5, 2020 at 10:01 pm

    It’s a great month to be trying this Irish soda bread. 🙂 Perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

    Reply
  8. Morgan says

    March 5, 2020 at 9:58 pm

    The texture of this Irish soda bread looks 100% ON POINT. Drooling.

    Reply
  9. Annissa says

    March 5, 2020 at 9:51 pm

    I don’t eat bread very much anymore, but I don’t think I could pass this one up! So crusty and good!

    Reply

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Hi, my name is Sharon. I’m an accountant by day, risk-taking baker and food enthusiast by night. Come join me as I share my favorite recipes and test out new ones along the way!

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